Roger Dubuis’ Feminine Touch

Roger Dubuis is known for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and creating breakthrough designs like the double flying tourbillion escapements and skeletonised main plates. This year, it reveals a softer side by casting the limelight on women and focusing on the Diva Collection. Characterised by their barrel shaped cases, triple lugs, oversized Roman numerals and self-winding movements (RD821), these feminine watches embolden the female character, without losing the brand’s audacious edge.

With a bold carbon case punctuated by exotic Paraiba tourmalines, the Black Velvet Paraiba watch is an edgy timepiece for women. The blue satin straps that are secured together by a DLC-titanium folding clasp match the 66 extremely rare Paraiba tourmalines surrounding the bezel. Roger Dubuis has patented a gem setting technique that allows it to be the first to set gemstones on the carbon main frames of a watch. This beauty is available in only 88 pieces.

The Blossom Velvet, available in blue or pink each in 88 pieces only, and also offered as a trio of unique variants, feature dials blooming with Grand Feu enamel wild flowers. Each of the 36-mm white gold cases is rimmed with two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds adorning the bezel and lugs, transforming the Velvet’s classic central “third lug” into a precious link.

Combining both brawn and beauty is the Velvet Secret Heart, featuring a blue sunburst dial in a white gold case with a diamond set bezel. Arabic and Roman numerals showing the date and time respectively line the dial while the double retrograde jumping-date mechanism traces the passage of time. This is offered in a limited series of 8 exclusive pieces.

Teaming up with the couture shoemaker, Massaro, Velvet by Massaro features a golden leather strap with a single pleat down the centre, an iconic look of Massaro’s designs. It is available at a limited edition run of 88 pieces.

At the height of opulence is the Velvet Ribbon that comes festooned with over 53ct of diamonds. It features a 38.5-mm platinum case and inner bezel ring fully paved with emerald and baguette-cut diamonds. The lugs are replaced with one central lug that is adorned with a 1-ct gem at each end. This is truly a feat of high jewellery expertise as it showcases a wealth of traditional gem-setting techniques such as invisible, tapered, claw, Clou de Paris, bead and bezel settings.